Hydrangea plant named ‘BC7.13’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea macrophylla  (Thunb.) named ‘BC7.13’ originated as a controlled cross between varieties. The cultivar ‘BC7.13’ can be blue or red depending on the acidity of the soil and the presence of aluminum. The variety ‘BC7.13’ has compact, attractive inflorescences with relatively large sepalous florets, attractive sepal pigmentation, and stems that branch easily and are relatively strong. When grown without aluminum, the upper sides of the sepals of the sepalous florets are primarily R.H.S. 61 B (red-purple group) and the under sides of the sepals are R.H.S 70 C (red-purple group).

Botanical classification: Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BC7.13’.

Variety denomination: ‘BC7.13’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of the Saxifragaceae family. The botanical name of the plant is Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BC7.13’.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling from a controlled cross between the unpatented variety ‘LK49’, which was the pollen parent, and a commercial variety known as ‘Venedig’ to the inventor, which was the seed parent. ‘Venedig’ may be the subject of U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,928 and registered as ‘Venice Raven’. ‘LK49’ is relatively compact plant with wiry stems, relatively small leaves, relatively small sepalous florets, and inflorescences that are resistant to being damaged by conditions in commercial coolers.

The variety ‘BC7.13’ has compact, attractive inflorescences with relatively large sepalous florets, attractive sepal pigmentation, grows well under commercial conditions, and stems that branch easily and are relatively strong. This combination of characteristics makes the plant ideal for commercial production as an ornamental potted plant. Below is a table comparing the new variety to similar varieties. The variety ‘BC7.13’ is the subject of a current patent application and is a cross between parents ‘LK49’ and the commercial variety known to the inventor as ‘Venedig’ which may be an alias for the patented variety ‘Venice Raven’—U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,928. ‘BC7.14’ was treated with aluminum to produce a blue pigmentation. The new variety was grown alongside ‘Venedig’ (grown as a pink variety) as a control.

TABLE 1 Currently Patent Pending Variety New Variety New Variety ‘BC7.13’ ‘BC7.12’ (13/986,181) (13/986,047) Leaf size 9 cm × 16.5 cm 9 cm × 16.5 cm Plant height 18″ in 6″ pot. 17″ in 6″ pot. Stem strength Stems are relatively strong. Stems are strong. Sepal Upper side of sepals is Upper side of sepals is Pigmentation R.H.S. 61 B (red-purple R.H.S. 67 A (red- group); Under side of purple group); Under sepals is R.H.S. side of sepals is R.H.S. 70 C (red-purple group). 68 A (red-purple group). Sepalous Floret 65 mm 60 mm Size Commerical variety Currently Patent ‘Venedig’ which may be Pending Variety U.S. Plant Pat. No.10,928 ‘BC7.14’ (PP23,801) ‘Venice Raven’ blued with aluminum Grown without aluminum Leaf size 8 cm × 13.5 cm Unknown Plant height 14″ in 6″ pot. 12″ in 6″ pot - observed controls grown alongside new variety. Stem strength Strong Strong - observed controls grown alongside new variety Sepal Upper side of sepals is Upper side of sepals is Pigmentation R.H.S. 94 A (violet-blue R.H.S. 74 C (red-purple group) to 86 B (violet group). Under side of group); Under side of sepals is R.H.S. 75 B sepals is R.H.S. 93 D (purple group) observed (violet group) to 86 C controls grown (violet group). alongside new variety. Sepalous Floret 50 mm 50 mm - observed Size controls grown alongside new variety

The new cultivar ‘BC7.13’ has been successfully asexually reproduced under controlled environmental conditions at a nursery in Half Moon Bay, Calif. under the direction of the inventor with its distinguishing characteristics remaining stable.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initially selected plant. Examination of asexually reproduced, successive generations grown in Half Moon Bay, Calif. show that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘BC7.13’ remains firmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show the typical plant form, including the inflorescence, foliage, and sepals, although color representations are not accurate and thus references in the specification should be used for comparison and characterization of the new variety.

FIG. 1 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the plant showing its inflorescences and the color of the sepals.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the adaxial surface of a mature leaf.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the base of the stem.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the upper side of a panicle of the new variety.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the center of a panicle of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plants shown in the figures are approximately 50 weeks old. The plant started out as cuttings, taken from the stem of a grown plant. The cuttings were placed in a pot and the soil was periodically fertilized. The plant was pinched early to promote lateral branches.

‘BC7.13’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Color determinations were made with The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart, in association with the Flower Council of Holland, located in Lieden.

THE PLANT

-   Origin: Controlled cross. The new cultivar originated as a seedling     from a controlled cross between the commercial variety known to the     inventor as ‘Venedig’ which was the seed parent and which may be     ‘Venice Raven’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,928, and the unpatented     variety ‘LK49’, which was the pollen parent. -   Form: Upright, compact shrub. A typical plant with a mature     inflorescence that is ready for sale is approximately 18″ high and     has a diameter of 15″ when grown in a 6″ pot with appropriate soil     amendments. Plants typically have 4 to 6 stems with one     inflorescence between each stem. -   Growth: Upright, vigorous growth habit. Inflorescence is large. The     plant branches easily with shoots forming at the base of the plant.     Lateral branches are similar in appearance and form to the main     stems. -   Stems: Lenticels are present. Lenticels are R.H.S. 86 A (violet     group) and are 1 to 4 mm long. The surface of young stems is     glabrous. Stems become woody as they age. The color of typical young     stems and young lateral branches is R.H.S. 144 A (green group). The     older portions of the stems are R.H.S. 199 B (grey-brown group)     Younger portions of the stems are 6 mm in diameter. Older portions     of the stems are 6 mm in diameter. -   Foliage: Abundant. Leaves are opposite on stem and lateral branches.     -   -   Shape of leaf.—Elliptic with acute base and apex. Margins             are serrate.         -   Texture.—Glabrous, non-glossy; veins dominate on the             underside of the leaf and are sunken on the upper leaf             surface.         -   Color.—Mature leaves have an upper side that is R.H.S. 147 A             (yellow-green group), and an under side that is R.H.S. 138 B             (green group). Leaves are pinnately veined. The midvein and             veins branching off the midvein are large and prominent on             the underside of the leaves. Veins are R.H.S. 138 B             (yellow-green group). Other than the different colors of the             upper and lower surfaces of the leaves and the contrast in             vein color from the upper surface color of the leaves the             color of the leaf surfaces are uniform. Leaves are as wide             as 8 cm and 11 cm long. Petioles are smooth and 2 to 3.5 cm             long and 3 mm wide. Petioles are R.H.S. 138 B (yellow-green             group).

BUDS

-   Form: Globose with 4 to 5 connate, elliptic, smooth petals for both     sepalous and non-sepalous buds. Buds in the center of the     inflorescence are non-sepalous. The buds ringing the outside of the     inflorescence will develop into sepalous florets. Buds are     approximately 1 mm by 1 mm when very young. Buds can be 4 mm in     diameter and still unopened. Color of buds is R.H.S. 73 A     (red-purple group). -   Aspect: Smooth. -   Arrangement: Borne on branched panicles.

INFLORESCENCE

-   Form: Paniculate. Terminal. As many as 100 individual flowers (both     sepalous and non-sepalous florets) per inflorescence. Approximately     one-third of the florets are non-sepalous florets. Both sepalous     florets and non-sepalous florets borne on same panicle. Flowers do     not produce a fragrance. The peduncle for the inflorescence is     strong and upright. Non-sepalous florets in the center of the     panicle develop early on cymes that are later hidden by the sepalous     florets. Florets, both sepalous and non-sepalous, have anthers and     style. Inflorescences are long-lasting, changing color as they age. -   Size of inflorescence: Compact and somewhat flat. Individual     inflorescence size is dependent on the number of florets. A typical     inflorescence can grow as large as 8″ in diameter, and 4″ high. -   Shape: Clusters of numerous small florets; sepalous florets overlap     one another. Sepals are persistent. -   Appearance: Showy.

FLORETS

-   -   -   General.—The non-sepalous florets at the center of the             inflorescence open first. Sepalous and non-sepalous florets             are perfect and complete. Corolla: Generally, for both             sepalous and non-sepalous florets the petals fall off as             flower matures. Petals are typically 4 mm long and 3 mm             wide. Petals are R.H.S. 73 A (red-purple group). Lenticels             that are very small are present on pedicels of both sepalous             and non-sepalous florets. Lenticels are R.H.S. 59 B             (red-purple) group. Pedicel of both sepalous and             non-sepalous florets are primarily R.H.S. 68 A (red-purple             group) when inflorescence is ready for commercial sale.             Pedicels of non-sepalous florets are 4 mm long, and pedicels             of sepalous florets are up to 20 mm long.         -   Stamens.—8 to 10 stamens. Pollen is R.H.S. 155 C             (yellow-white group). Plant produces abundant pollen.             Filament is R.H.S. 77 A (purple group) and 2 to 3 mm long.             Anther is 1 mm long and is regular and basally attached.         -   Stigma.—Two style each. Each style has one stigma. Style is             typically 2 mm long. For young inflorescences ready for             commercial sale style is R.H.S. 77 A (red-purple group) and             stigma is R.H.S. 67 A (red-purple group).         -   Ovary.—Ovary is partially inferior. Ovary is 4 mm in             diameter.

-   Sepalous florets:     -   -   General.—Veins dominate on the underside of the sepals.         -   Number of sepals.—4 sepals per floret.         -   Aspect of sepals.—Smooth and glaucescent.         -   Shape of sepals.—Reniform with acuminate apex. Edges are             entire, but with crenation.         -   Size of sepals.—As the florets mature, the sepals enlarge             and overlap each other more and more, until, often, there is             no space between the sepals when the petals of the florets             open. Sepals at maturity are typically 44 mm long and 40 mm             wide. Florets are typically 6.5 cm in diameter. The color of             the sepals can be blue or red depending on the acidity of             the soil and the presence of aluminum. When grown without             aluminum in alkaline soils, the upper sides of the sepals             are primarily R.H.S. 61 B (red-purple group) and the under             sides of the sepals are primarily R.H.S. 70 C (red-purple             group).

-   Fruit: none.

-   Disease and pest resistance: Unknown. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea macrophylla plant named ‘BC7.13’ substantially as herein shown and described. 